This is used to connect to a wireless, usually broadband, network so you can access the internet, use email etc.

In order to connect to the wireless network you require the key/password usually, this prevents other computer users in the area of the network from connecting to your network and in effect stealing your broadband usage allowance, which is illegal, well at least it is in the UK.

You need a broadband wireless router or modem/router to use this method of connection.

If you have a standard ethernet or usb broadband modem you can still connect the laptop using an ethernet or usb cable,

Hi it sounds like you are trying to connect to a wireless network with your daughter's laptop. A network key is essentially a password you need to access the wireless network. The adminstrator of the network would have set one up when they set up the network.

If this is your wireless network then you probably wrote it down somewhere. It is also possible you are trying to connect to somebody elses network by accident. If this is the case you must select the correct network (assuming you have wireless). If you are using Windows XP you should see an icon in the system tray (bottom right corner of the screen with the clock) that yo can right click on to view networks.

I should note that if you have a wired connection you only need to plug it into the laptop like you would with any tower computer.I should note that if you have a wired connection you only need to plug it into the laptop like you would with any tower computer.

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Related Questions:

Network Key (WEP, WPA, WPA2 Encryption key)To connectyour computer to a wireless router, you click the Refresh networklist, then Choose your wireless network and then click Connectto your secured Wireless Network, it will asks for a Network Keybefore allowing you to connect into your wireless network. This NetworkKey is either the WEP, or WPA or WPA2 Encryption key that is used toconfigure the Wireless Router. The Passphrase is an alternate way tosetup the Encryption key.When you are requested for a Network Key, you can just enter the Passphrasethat was used to configure the Encryption key in the wireless router.http://www.fixya.com/support/r5270415-network_password_network_addressFor information on securing your wireless network,configuring the wireless router and configuring the wireless card in thelaptop/computer, please click on this link and follow my instructions :-http://www.fixya.com/support/r3559128-wireless_router_security

Connect your desktop computer to your Belkin router, and access the router's built-in web-server software. Then, run the "Wireless Network Setup Wizard", to configure the router's wireless networking capabilities. As part of that process, you will be required to _create_ a "WEP-key" value. Use that value when configuring the wireless capability of your PS3.

a. Connect the modem to the Internet port of the router. The Internet “i” LED on the front of the router should light up. b. Connect the computer to one of the four LAN ports (i.e port 1, 2, 3 or 4) on the back of the router. The corresponding port light where you connected the computer should be lit up.

2. Access the router's web-based utility.

a. Please open any web browser like Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. b. Connect to the router by typing http://routerlogin.com/basicsetting.htm or http://192.168.1.1 in the address field and click Enter or Return key. c. A window will prompt for a user name and password. By default, the user name is "admin" and the password is "password".

Note: If you were unable to access the router's web-based utility, you may reset the router to restore the settings to factory default.

To reset the router:

a. Please push the reset button at the back of the router and release after 30 seconds. b. Unplug the power adapter for 10 seconds and then plug it back in.

3. Configure the router.

If your Internet Service Provider is using a cable connection, please follow the steps below:

a. Click on Basic Settings under Setup tab. b. Select No for Does Your Internet Connection Require A Login?. c. Scroll down on the center page and look for the Router MAC Address section. Set it to Use computer MAC address and click on the Apply button.

If your Internet Service Provider is using a DSL connection, please follow the steps below:

a. Click on Basic Settings.b. Select Yes for Does Your Internet Connection Require A Login?.c. Select Other on the Internet Service Provider drop down box.d. Enter your ISP's username (username@ISPdomain) and password. Then, click on Apply.

4. Configure the wireless settings.

a. Click on the Wireless Settings under Setup. b. Change the SSID to any unique name. c. Scroll down, look for the Security Options settings and select WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). d. Set the Authentication type to "Automatic" and the Encryption Strength to "64bit". e. Leave the Passphrase field blank, select Key 1 and enter a 10-digit number.

Note: The 10-digit number you typed in the key 1 will be the password or network key for the wireless connection.

f. Click Apply button to save the changes. g. Go to Router Status under Maintenance tab and check if there is an IP address under Internet port. If it's 0.0.0.0, do a power cycle.

5. Power cycle.

a. Power off the modem, router and computers. b. Turn on the power of the modem first and wait for it to initialize, the lights to stop blinking. c. Power back the router and the computers. Check if it will be able to get online.

If you have wireless computers, you can connect them wireless to the router. Kindly follow the instructions below:

6. Connect wireless computer to the router.

If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 1, please follow the steps below:

a. Please right click on the Wireless icon on the right lower end portion of your computer. b. Then click on View Available Wireless Networks. c. Click on the Advanced tab. d. Please delete all the preferred networks then click on OK. e. Right click on the Wireless icon again and click on View Available Wireless Network. Please select your network and click on Connect. It will ask you for the network key. f. Please type in the network key and then confirm it. Network key is the password you type on the key 1 of the wireless settings of the router. g. Make sure not to enable IEEE and then click on Connect.

If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2, please follow the steps below:

a. Please right click on the Wireless icon on the right lower end portion of your computer. b. Then click on View Available Wireless Networks. c. Click on the Change Advanced Settings. d. Click on the Wireless Networks tab remove all the preferred networks then click on OK. e. Right click on the Wireless icon then click on View Available Wireless Networks. f. Select your network and click on Connect. g. It will ask you for the network key. Type in the network key and confirm it. Then click on Connect. Network key is the password you type on the key 1 of the wireless settings of the router.

If you are using Windows Vista, please follow the steps below:

a. Click Start then select Connect To. b. Connect to a network window will show up. c. Select your wireless network and click Connect. d. It will ask you for a network key. Type in the network key and confirm it. Then click on Connect.

From the above configuration, please check if you can now access the Internet.

Problem solved. I disabled the security on my network. I connected the new laptop to the unsecure network. I saved the settings on the laptop for the unsecure network. I rebooted the laptop. I re-enabled security on the router. I tried to connect to the network. I got an error on the laptop saying the network saved settings did not match. I modified the settings to a secure network on the laptop and saved the 128 bit key. Rebooted everything. All works fine now.

I am going to assume that you have a Linksys wireless router connected to your computer.

The network key is set in the router by using it's set-up page. Usually, you type in a 26 character code or a text string that is used to form the key.After setting up the router, you turn on the laptop, scan for available networks, and select yours. Then you enter the network key, which will be exactly same as that you entered into the router setup.

If you are having trouble connecting from the laptop, I suggest you first try setting up the wireless router to use no encryption, just to make sure the laptop can find the network. Once this has been established, activate the security features.